NICOLA Sturgeon is set to describe the SNP’s plans to deliver a wraparound system of childcare as “truly transformational” for families – and a central pillar in delivering a sustainable economic recovery after the pandemic.

Speaking while campaigning in Ayr today, the SNP leader will hail the expansion of childcare already undertaken by the SNP, leaving the system “almost unrecognisable” from what the Government inherited.

With the expansion of childcare to 1140 hours to be completed by August, the SNP manifesto sets out plans to go even further by delivering a system of wraparound childcare – providing year-round care before and after school.

The least well-off families will pay nothing, with others asked to make a “fair and affordable” contribution. Free early years education will also be expanded to all low-income one and two-year-olds.

Sturgeon is expected to say: “When it comes to Scotland’s long-term future, there can be no more important investment we make than in our young people. That’s why the SNP government is doing everything we can to give all children the best possible start in life.

“Childcare in Scotland is almost unrecognisable from the system the SNP inherited. By August this year, we’ll have completed the expansion of childcare provision to 1140 hours – benefitting tens of thousands of families the length and breadth of Scotland.

“Alongside our investments in rolling out free breakfasts and lunches to all primary school pupils, and our commitment to doubling the Scottish Child Payment, offering support to working families is one of the central pillars in our plans to drive Scotland’s recovery from the pandemic.

"A re-elected SNP government will build a system of wraparound childcare, for which the least well-off families will pay nothing. This will be truly transformational in opening up employment opportunities for parents, benefitting both the families themselves and the wider economy.

“We will also expand free early years education to all one and two year olds, starting with children from low income households in this parliament.

“The work we are doing to support our youngest citizens stands in stark contrast to that of the Tories at Westminster, who have scrapped child poverty targets and are planning to take the Scottish Government to court to prevent us from incorporating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into Scots law.”